Radial Nerve Palsy: Nerve Transfer Versus Tendon Transfer to Restore Function.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Radial nerve injuries result in significant functional impairment.
• Various surgical reconstruction techniques are available for radial nerve palsy.
• This study compares tendon transfers and nerve transfers for isolated radial nerve injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical outcomes of tendon transfers versus nerve transfers in managing isolated radial nerve injuries.
• To evaluate improvements in strength, function, and quality of life following each surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 30 patients treated with tendon transfers and 16 with nerve transfers.
• Analysis of preoperative and postoperative grip strength, pinch strength, DASH scores, and QOL scores.
• Comparison of outcomes between the two treatment groups.

Main Results:

• Nerve transfer patients were younger with shorter time from injury to surgery and longer follow-up.
• Both groups showed significant improvements in grip strength, pinch strength, DASH, and QOL scores postoperatively.
• The nerve transfer group achieved significantly higher postoperative grip strength, while pinch strength was comparable.

Conclusions:

• Nerve transfers resulted in superior grip strength, while both methods improved pain, function, and satisfaction.
• Early presentation and tolerance for longer recovery times are ideal for nerve transfer candidates.
• Both tendon and nerve transfers represent effective management options for radial nerve palsy.